Community assistance | Technical assistance | Financial assistance
Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation is your first stop in getting the help you need to tackle the problem of nonpoint source pollution in Virginia’s waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay.
DCR is the state’s leading agency for developing and implementing statewide nonpoint source pollution control programs and services. Through its eight regional watershed offices, DCR provides technical and financial assistance to landowners, and supports education and research efforts to control and reduce NPS pollution.
The following list provides some highlights of technical and financial programs. For a more comprehensive look at DCR’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation Programs, click here.
Programs offering community assistance
Watershed roundtables – community-based initiatives to develop grass-roots strategies and solutions to maintain the health of watersheds throughout Virginia.
Adopt-A-Stream – a river clean-up program to promote awareness of our water resources.
Programs offering technical assistance
Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service – a program providing technical advice and assistance to landowners, local governments and environmental agencies regarding shoreline erosion, streambank erosion and riparian buffer problems.
Virginia’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program – a state program implemented by DCR in cooperation with local governments. DCR establishes statewide standards and guidance to control soil erosion, sedimentation and nonagricultural runoff associated with “land-disturbing activities.” DCR oversees a network of local government-operated ESC programs that regulate land development activities in an effort to protect Virginia’s soil and water resources.
Virginia’s Stormwater Management Program – a program to protect land and water from stormwater damage and nonpoint source pollution. Regulations regarding land development activities have been adopted to prevent water pollution, stream channel erosion, depletion of groundwater resources and localized flooding. DCR provides technical assistance and guidance to localities to support statewide implementation of the program.
Virginia’s Nutrient Management Program – a program designed to encourage the proper land application of fertilizer, manure, and sewage sludge for agricultural and urban purposes. DCR staff helps farmers develop nutrient management plans and supports university research aimed at improving the efficiency of nutrient use and application. DCR also encourages urban lawn care companies and retailers to offer environmentally responsible products and services through its Water Quality Improvement Agreement Program.
Virginia Clean Water Farm Award – a program created to recognize farmers who implement nutrient management plans on their farms to improve the health of Virginia’s waterways.
Programs offering financial assistance
Best Management Practices for Virginia Agriculture – a program designed to help farmers implement conservation practices which are cost-efficient, and improve the land and protect the quality of our waterways. DCR supports this program administered by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Financial and technical assistance is available.
Water Quality Improvement Act – This program provides water quality improvement grants to local governments, soil and water conservation districts and individuals for point and nonpoint source pollution prevention, reduction and control programs. The primary objective of this act is to fund grants that will reduce the flow of excess nitrogen and phosphorus into the Chesapeake Bay through the implementation of the tributary strategies.
Virginia’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program – a financial assistance program providing rental payments to farmers who voluntarily restore riparian buffers, filter strips and wetlands through the installation of approved conservation practices.
